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Good drivers pulled over and ticketed?
It’s a beautiful sunny day and you’re driving well within the speed limit, you used your blinker to safely change lanes, all your car’s equipment is functional, your inspection sticker is current, you’re maintaining a proper distance behind the vehicle in front of you — a police car zooms up behind you with flashing lights and pulls you over to get ticketed.
Imagine your confusion. “What did I do wrong officer?"
This scenario recently happened to 200 motorists in Travis County, Texas. However, the tickets given were free tickets to a minor-league baseball game as a reward to good drivers during Drivers Safety Week in that area.
Phew! Imagine the relief (not bullpen pitchers). We wonder how many drivers were upset. A poll of locals resulted in over 60 percent of them preferring not to be pulled over.
Hmmm...think of the marketing possibilities for next year. Local fast-food outlets could participate and the officers could hand out “value-meal” tickets. “Would you like fries with that?”
2006 standard mileage rates
The IRS provides the following mileage rates for tax purposes:
44.5 cents per mile for business miles driven
18 cents per mile for medical or moving purposes
14 cents per mile for charitable work
If you are still working on your tax returns for 2005, the mileage rates to use are:
40.5 cents per mile for business miles driven though August 31
48.5 cents per mile for business miles driven from September 1 on (higher gas price adjustment)
More info
“I believe we should all pay our tax bill with a smile. I tried — but they wanted cash.” -- Anonymous
A dozen ways to avoid identity theft
In the last five years, 27,000,000 Americans were victims of identity theft — and the problem is growing. Here are 12 ways to reduce the chances of someone stealing your identity:
- Check your credit report at least twice per year
- Be suspicious and careful when divulging personal information
- Provide your Social Security number only when there’s no other option
- Deposit mail with personal or financial information in a postal collection box rather than your mailbox for pickup.
- Shred sensitive document going in the trash
- Minimize paper transactions and records
- Investigate if a bill hasn’t arrived on time
- Be cautious online — use spyware catching software and only secure web sites
- Watch for “phishing” scams where someone asks for account “updates, confirmations, etc.”
- Before discarding an old computer, use a “wipe” program on the hard drive Normal deletes leave information that can be extracted by unsavory types
- Avoid easy-to-guess passwords — no birthdays, pet names, mother’s maiden name—use a mixture of letters and numerals.
- Lock up personal files in your home — workmen may have access
Arson is the leading cause of fatal fires
A study conducted by The U.S. Fire Administration and The National Fire Data Center indicates that arson was the cause of 27 percent of all fires involving fatalities.
Other findings:
- 94% of fatal fires occur in structures or cars
- 86% involved a single fatality, 10% involved two fatalities, and 4% three or more deaths.
- 65% of deaths were males, 23% senior citizens, and 14% were children
- 50% of fatal fires in structures started in sleeping or lounge areas
- Smoke alarms were either not present or operational in 63% of the fires
Workers’ compensation lapse shuts down Neverland
A Reuters news report confirms that California authorities ordered Michael Jackson to shut down his Neverland Valley Ranch. To date, Jackson has been fined $69,000 for allowing his insurance to lapse in January 2006.
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Another federal bureaucracy?
A new federal bill is expected soon to allow insurers to choose to be regulated by either the federal government or the states. Details have yet to be released but the possible bill may be introduced in the senate by Senators John Sununu (R-NH) and Tim Johnson (D-SD).
The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents has developed a resolution to oppose this possible legislation.
See model resolution
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Are you using these dangerous products?
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Espresso Machine – Electrical connectors can erode and cause fires. Capresso C1000, model 152, importer is Capresso, Inc. of Cloister, NJ. To arrange for free repair go to www.capresso.com |
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Suzuki all-terrain vehicles – 2005 models LT-F400FK5 and LT-F400FK5 – plastic fuel tanks are too thin and could develop fuel leaks posing a fire hazard. To schedule a free repair go to www.suzukicycles.com |
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